Selective collection system for recycling input materials having a monitor

ABSTRACT

A selective collection system for recyclable containers including a housing part, an input device, a material identification device, a sorting guide device, a shredding device, a compressing device, a collection part, and a control device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 20100036188 filed Apr. 20, 2010 and this application is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/848,618filed Aug. 2, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The claimed invention relates to a selective collection system forrecycling input materials that transports and performs shredding andcompressing operation on the input materials lying on their sides,distinguishes the material of input material, sorts and groups the inputmaterials based on their material content. More particularly, theclaimed invention increases the storage space by decreasing installationlength (vertical length) of each component to provide more verticalspace for longer collection bins, selectively sort the input materialsinto three categories (1) aluminum cans, (2) plastic (polyethyleneterephthalate (PET)) input materials and 3 glass bottles, steel cans andforeign substances and shortens the shredding time of PET bottle inputmaterials, thereby enhancing the shredding efficiency over theconventional press-separate storage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, input materials including bottles, cans or PET bottle are forone time use and are discarded after use and caused environmentalpollution and waste of resources.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional press separate storage system forbeverage input materials, as described in Korean Patent No. 10 0804593,filed by the applicant of the instant application. The press separatestorage system for beverage input materials consists of a body part (10)to selectively separate and reduce the recycling input materials, aninput device (20) installed on the upper side of the body part (10) toreceive the recycling input materials, a metal sensor (21) installed onthe side of the input device (20) to detect metal and non-metal inputmaterials, a side compressing device (30) installed at the bottom of theinput device (20) to sense and press both sides of the input materialswhen the input materials are dropped upright from the input device (20),a sound sensor selector on one side of the side compressing device (30)to detect the falling tone of the upright falling input materials and todetermine whether to press or shred the input materials, a sorting part(40) installed at the bottom of the side compressing device (30) toguide the predetermined input materials to be compressed or shredded asdetermined by the sound sorting sensor to the corresponding storagebins, a recycling storage part (50) installed at the bottom of thesorting part (40) having a non-shredding storage part (51) on one sideof the sorting part (40) and a shredding storage part (52) on the otherside of the sorting part (40) and a shredding device (60) installed ontop of the shredding storage part (52) to shred the compressed inputmaterials dropped upright from the sorting part (40).

Such press separate store system for beverage input materials detectswhether the input materials are metallic through its metal sensor (21)on one side of the input device (20) when the input materials areinserted upright at the input device (20) on top of the body part (10)by the user. When the system detects that the inserted input material ismetallic, the system controls the side compressing device (30) toperform compression on the inserted input material. That is, since therecycling input materials are inserted upright into the input device(20), the recycling input materials are dropped upright into the sidecompressing device (30). The sound sorting sensor detects the fallingtone that is raised off the floor of side compressing device (30) whenthe recycling input materials are dropped upright into the sidecompressing device from the input device (20) and determines whether tocompress or to shred the input material. When the inserted inputmaterial is determined to be a metal input material based on thedetected falling tone, the system controls the side compressing device(30) to perform a compressing operation. If the input material isdetermined to be a nonmetal and plastic (e.g., polyethyleneterephthalate (PET)) input material, the system controls the sidecompressing device (30) to perform the compressing operation. If theinput material is determined to be a glass bottle, the system controlsthe side compressing device (30) not to perform the compressingoperation.

Through such control, the side compressing device (30) performs thecompressing operations for metal cans and nonmetal PET bottles. Aftercompressing the recycling input materials by compressing the sides ofthe upright input materials, the side compressing device (30) drops thecompressed input materials into the sorting part (40). The sorting part(40) selectively sorts the input materials depending on the material byhaving it moved toward non-shredding storage bin (51) when the recyclinginput materials that are pressed upright are metallic and moved towardshredding storage bin (52) when the pressed input materials arenon-metal PET bottles. The recycling input materials that are compressedupright falls into the shredding storage bin (52), shredded throughshredding device (60) and are loaded in the shredding storage bin (52).The non-metal and glass input materials are dropped and loaded in thenon-shredding storage bin (51) without compression, thereby sortingaccording to the classification of material and completing the selectivecompression and selective collection processes. In addition, if theitems inserted into the input device (20) are determined to be foreignsubstances (e.g., rock, paper, debris, etc.) other than glass bottles,PET bottles and metal cans, then the system drops and loads them in thenon-shredding storage bin (51) without compression.

Such conventional press separate store system for beverage inputmaterials has multiple issues. Firstly, the conventional press separatestore system for beverage input materials has a vertical sizerestriction. The conventional press separate store system must be madesmaller than normal adult height so that the user can insert the inputmaterials into the input device to use the system. Since the recyclinginput materials are inserted upright through the input device (20) onthe upper side of the body part (10) and compressed upright so that theboth sides of the input materials are pressed by the side compressingdevice (30), the installation length (vertical length) of the inputdevice (20) and the side compressing device (30) is long and the storagelength (vertical length) of the recycling storage part (30) isrelatively short. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system thatis not restrained by such vertical length limitations.

Secondly, the storage space of the recycling storage part (50) of theconventional press separate store system is also narrow. As a result,the operator of such system have to collect recycling input materialsthat are loaded in the recycling storage part (50) frequently and suchissue of maintaining the system often arises. Also, the sorting part(40) of the conventional press separate store system for beverage inputmaterials is structured to selectively guide to either the sorting part(40) or non-shredding storage bin (51), thereby cans, glass bottles anddebris are mixed loaded into the non-shredding storage bin (52).Although glass bottles compared to cans have low utilization rate andhuman resources must be mobilized to sort these mixed loaded inputmaterials by hand to separate the metal cans from the glass bottles anddebris, thereby lowering the recycling efficiency of these system.Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system that can collect andsort the input materials into three categories, such as cans, PET bottleand glass bottles, without human intervention.

Thirdly, the shredding device (60) of the conventional press separatestore system cannot easily perform the shredding operation on the PETcontainer or input material because of their low weight, leading tolonger shredding time and low shredding efficiency. Hence, it would bedesirable to have system than readily and easily perform the shreddingoperation on the PET container or input materials.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the claimed invention to solve theaforementioned problems with the conventional press-separate storagesystem.

Another object of the claimed invention is to provide a selectivecollection system that increases storage volume by increasing theheights of the collection bins, shortening the heights of other internalcomponents and installing a forced transport part that transports inputmaterials laid horizontally on their sides from the input device, amaterial identification device that screens and categorizes the inputmaterials and a sorting guide device that selectively sorts and guidesthe input materials to appropriate devices or parts of the selectivecollection system.

A still another object of the claimed invention is to provide aselective collection system that sorts the input materials into threecategories (PET, aluminum cans and other materials). In accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the selectivecollection system compresses aluminum cans, shreds PET bottles and justdrops, without compressing or shredding, other materials such as glassbottles, steel cans and debris.

A yet another object of the claimed invention is to provide a selectivecollection system that shreds PET bottles over a shorter period of timecompared to the conventional press-separate storage system.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theselective collection system comprises of a housing part, which housesall other internal components of the system, an input device thatreceives input materials, a material identification device thatrecognizes input materials, and a sorting guide device that sorts androutes a recognized input material to appropriate devices of theselective collection system. For example, a PET bottle is transported tothe shredding device and an aluminum can is transported to thecompressing device. Other materials are sent straight to anothermaterials collection bin. A collection part of the claimed inventionholds a PET collection bin and an aluminum can collection bin andanother materials collection bin. Compressed aluminum cans are depositedinto the aluminum can collection bin and shredded PET bottles aredeposited into the PET collection bin. The control device controlsoverall operation of the selective collection system to ensure thatinput materials are appropriately sorted, operated upon (e.g., shredded,compressed, and dropped without processing) and put into collectionbins.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theselective collection system is easier to maintain than the conventionalpress-separate storage system because it employs longer collection bins,which leads to more storage space.

The claimed invention is more efficient than the conventional versionbecause of the increased storage space, increased height of collectionbins, shortened height of other components and the addition of a forcedtransport part that transports input materials laid horizontally ontheir sides from the input device, a material identification device thatrecognizes the input materials and transmits appropriate signals to acontrol device, and a sorting guide device that sorts the inputmaterials into proper internal devices.

Also, the claimed invention improves the collecting efficiency bycategorizing input materials (PET bottles, aluminum cans and othermaterials).

Further, the claimed invention improves shredding efficiency byshredding PET bottles in less amount of time relative to theconventional press-separate storage system.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, aselective collection system comprises of a housing part, an inputdevice, a material identification device, a sorting guide device, ashredding device, a compressing device, a collection part and a controldevice. An input device is situated at the upper portion of a housingpart and receives an input material that is laid horizontally on itsside. The material identification device recognizes or identifies aninput material and transmits information regarding the input materialand then drops it down by opening a pair of downward sloping stands intothe sorting guide device. The material identification device has a metaldetect sensor and a pair of load cells identifies the input material asone of the following categories: an aluminum can, a PET bottle and othermaterial. The sorting guide device sorts and routes the identified inputmaterial received from the material identification device. The shreddingdevice shreds the input material received from the sorting guide deviceand identified as a PET bottle by the material identification device.The compressing device compresses the input material received from asorting guide device and identified as an aluminum can. The collectionpart comprises collection bins that store the output materials based onthe three foregoing categories and a collection bin drawer onto whichthe collection bins are placed.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theinput device comprises an input slot at the front of the upper portionof the selective collection system and an automatic sliding door with asensor inside the input slot. The automatic sliding door is operated byan input side servomotor, two swivels and three shafts. A supportingshaft and one end of a secondary shaft are fixed to each other,preferably welded together, and the supporting shaft is attached to androtates about an upper swivel. The upper swivel itself is fixed to thehousing part. The other end of the secondary shaft is attached to thesliding door and linked to a primary shaft, which is attached to a lowerswivel and rotated by the input side servomotor. Once an input materialis detected, the motor activates and rotates the sliding door, openingthe input slot.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theselective collection system, as aforementioned, has an input detectsensor which is installed inside the input slot to generate a signalwhen an input material enters the input slot. The control devicecommands an input side servomotor to open the input slot in response tothe signal the sensor transmitted.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thematerial identification device comprises a front side plate, a back sideplate, a pair of downward sloping stands, a metal detect sensor and apair of load cells. The pair of stands is inserted into shafts, whichrotate between front and back side plates to open and close the standsof the material identification device. The stands are tilted downwardfrom the front side plate to the back side plate to ensure that thebottom of the input material received from the input device contacts theback side plate and the pair of downward sloping stands. The metaldetect sensor, which is installed on the back side plate, transmits asignal to the control device, which determines whether the inputmaterial in the pair of stands is a metal based on the signal. Two loadcells, which are installed below the two downward sloping stands,transmit the weight datum of an input material to the control device.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theselective collection system comprises a forced transport part toforcibly position an input material received from the input device suchthat the input material is transported from the input device to thematerial identification device sideways. The forced transport partensures that the input material makes contact with two downward slopingstands and a back side plate. This is necessary because the inputmaterial should be within range for two load cells installed below thedownward sloping stands and the metal detect sensor installed behind theback side plate. In other words, the forced transport part ensures thatthese sensors can fully detect the input material so that the claimedinvention can successfully identify or recognize the input material.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theforced transport part comprises a driving pulley, a driven pulley, aconveyor belt that connects the driving pulley to the driven pulley anda forced transport part side servomotor powering the driving pulley.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thesorting guide device is installed below the material identificationdevice to form a shredding side channel, a compressing side channel anda dropping side channel. One side (it will be referred as the “shreddingside”) of the sorting guide device comprises a shredding side entrance,a shredding side diaphragm and a shredding side sorting space that isnear the shredding side diaphragm. The other side (the “compressingside”) of the sorting device comprises a compressing side entrance, acompressing side diaphragm and a compressing side sorting space that isnear the compressing side diaphragm. The shredding device is installedin the shredding side channel and the compressing device in thecompressing side channel.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theshredding side sorting space comprises a shredding side shutter thatcovers the shredding side entrance, a shredding side sorting shaft intowhich the shredding side shutter is inserted, a shredding side powertransfer link that allows the shredding side servomotor to rotate theshredding side sorting shaft, a shredding side servomotor that powersthe shredding side sorting shaft to rotate the shredding side shutter,and a shredding side CAM that limits the rotation of the shredding sideshutter to prevent the shredding side shutter from rotating excessivelyand damaging other parts nearby. The compressing side sorting spacecomprises a compressing side shutter that covers the compressing sideentrance, a compressing side sorting shaft into which the compressingside shutter is inserted, a compressing side power transfer link thatallows the compressing side servomotor to rotate the compressing sidesorting shaft, a compressing side servomotor that powers the compressingside sorting shaft to rotate the compressing side shutter, and acompressing side CAM that limits the rotation of the compressing sideshutter to prevent the compressing side shutter from rotatingexcessively and damaging other parts nearby.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theshredding side servomotor rotates the shredding side shutter to open theshredding side entrance if the material identification device identifiesor recognizes the input material as a PET bottle and transmits acorresponding signal to the control device. Once the shredding sideshutter is open, the input material falls through the shredding sideentrance to be shredded by the shredding device. Simultaneously, thecompressing side servomotor rotates the compressing side shutter toclose the compressing side entrance if the compressing side entrance isopen. Of course, if the compressing side entrance is already closed, thecompressing side entrance remains closed.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecompressing side servomotor rotates the compressing side shutter to openthe compressing side entrance when the material identification deviceidentifies or recognizes the input material as an aluminum can so thatthe compressing side shutter is open to receive and route the inputmaterial from the material identification device to the compressingdevice. Simultaneously, the shredding side servomotor rotates theshredding side shutter to close the shredding side entrance if theshredding side entrance is open. Of course, if the shredding sideentrance is already closed, the shredding side entrance remains closed.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theshredding side and compressing side servomotors rotate to close both theshredding side and compressing side shutters when the materialidentification device identifies or recognizes the input material asneither a PET bottle nor an aluminum can, and transmits an appropriatesignal to the control device. Consequently, the sorting guide devicedirectly routes the input material from the material identificationdevice to the other materials collection bin.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecollection part comprises a PET collection bin, an aluminum cancollection bin, and other materials collection bin. The PET collectionbin is placed below the shredding device to receive shredded inputmaterials from the shredding device, and the aluminum can collection binis placed below the compressing device to receive compressed inputmaterials from the compressing device. The other materials collectionbin is placed between the PET collection bin and the aluminum cancollection bin to receive input materials that were not shredded orcompressed by the selective collection system.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theshredding device comprises a shredding device forced entry part thatforcibly inserts a PET bottle into shredding device.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theshredding device forced entry part comprises a forced entry shaft andforced entry wings, which are inserted into the forced entry shaft. Theforced entry wings force the PET bottles into the rotating blades of theshredding device.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecompressing device comprises a front press plate with a guide hole, aback press plate, a top down plate with a lower portion fixed betweenthe front and back press plates, a middle press plate installed betweenthe front and back press plates, a press shaft that moves in and out ofthe guide hole, a rotary device and a compressing device power motor.One end of the press shaft is linked with a hinge to the middle pressplate. The compressing device power motor powers the movement of thepress shaft. One end of the rotary device is linked with a hinge to theother end of the press shaft, and the other end of the rotary device islinked through a gear coupling to the compressing device power motor.The compressing device power motor powers the press shaft to move themiddle press plate towards the back press plate and compress the inputmaterial.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecompressing device further comprises a compressed can output spaceformed at the lower portion of the top down plate and a compressed canoutput shutter that opens and closes the compressed can output space.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device controls the overall operation of a selective collectionsystem and comprises a processor, a display to display advertisements, acommunications port and a storage device. Preferably, the display ismounted on an external surface of the housing part. The control devicecan alternatively (or in addition to displaying the advertisement)display announcements or messages.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device is operable to display the advertisements stored on thestorage device, received from an external device through thecommunications port, or received from an external source by acommunications device of the control device over the communicationsnetwork. The communications port is an USB port. The external device isone of the following: a CD, a DVD, a flash memory, a portable storagedevice, a laptop, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, ora smart phone. The communications network is one of the following: atelecommunications network, a wireless network, a virtual privatenetwork, a Wide Area Network (WAN), an Internet, or a Wi-Fi network,Intranet.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device generates a message on the display comprising at leastone of the following: a total number input materials received, a totalnumber of PET received, a total number of aluminum cans received, andamount of credit based on the total number of input materials receivedfrom an user.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the claimed inventionwill become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description.Novel features will be emphatically pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The claimed invention is further explained in the description whichfollows with reference to the drawings, illustrations illustrating, byway of non-limiting examples, various embodiments of the invention, withlike reference numerals representing similar parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional press-separate storagesystem for beverage containers;

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the conventional press-separatestorage system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an external view of a selective collection system forrecycling containers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of theclaimed invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective inside view of the selective collectionsystem for recycling containers in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the claimed invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of an input device, a forcedtransport part and a material identification device of the selectivecollection system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of theclaimed invention;

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the selective collection systemfor recycling containers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe claimed invention;

FIG. 8 shows a left side perspective view of the selective collectionsystem for recycling containers in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the claimed invention;

FIG. 9 shows a rear perspective view of the selective collection systemfor recycling containers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe claimed invention;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary operational phase diagram of the input deviceof the selective collection system in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the claimed invention;

FIG. 11 shows exemplary operational phase diagrams of the shredding andcompressing side sorting spaces of the sorting guide device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a compressing device of theselective collection system in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the claimed invention;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the compressing device of theselective collection system in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the claimed invention;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary operational phase diagram of the sortingguide device of the selective collection system routing the recyclablecontainers identified for collection without performing any shredding orcompressing operation to a collection bin;

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary operational phase diagram of the sortingguide device routing the recyclable containers to be shredded to theshredding device of the selective collection system; and

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary operational phase diagram of the sortingguide device routing the recyclable containers to be compressed to thecompressing device of the selective collection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in each figure, the selective collection system (1000) inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed inventioncomprises of a housing part (100), an input device (200), a materialidentification device (300), a sorting guide device (400), a shreddingdevice (500), a compressing device (600), a collection part (700) and acontrol device (800). As exemplary shown in FIG. 4, the housing part(100) cases all of the internal components of the selective collectionsystem (1000), including a front side panel (101) and a back side panel(102), which hold in place each component of the claimed selectivecollection system (1000). Although only the front side panel (101) andthe back side panel (102) are shown in FIG. 4 and mentioned herein, theclaimed selective collection system (1000) includes other mountingplates of variable shape for holding other internal components in place.

As exemplary shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the input device (200) ispreferably installed on the front side of the housing part (100). Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asshown in FIG. 10, the input device (200) comprises an input slot (210),a sliding door (220) that covers the input slot (210), a supportingshaft (230) with one end linked to an upper swivel (201), which is fixedto the inside of the housing part (100) and provides rotational movementfor the supporting shaft (230) and the other end of the support shaft(230) is fixed, preferably welded to a secondary shaft (240). Thesecondary shaft (240) is attached to the sliding door (220) andconnected to a primary shaft (250) linked with a lower swivel (202)installed on the interior wall of the housing part (100). The inputdevice (200) additionally comprises an input side servomotor (260)providing power to the primary shaft (250).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, theinput device (200) further comprises an input detect sensor (211)installed outside of the input slot (210) to generate a signal thatrotates the sliding door (220) and open the input slot (210) when aninput material is detected. Specifically, the control device (800)controls the input side servomotor (260) when the input detect signal isreceived from the input detect sensor (211). As a result, the slidingdoor (220) is rotated clockwise (from the front) upon activation of theinput side servomotor (260). After the insertion of the input material,the control device (800) commands the input device (200) to move thesliding door (220) its closed position.

The input detect sensor (211), in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the claimed invention, is photosensitive, laser sensitive,or ultrasound sensitive. The input detect sensor (211) detects therecycling containers through a light survey.

The material identification device (300) uses its load cells (340) andmetal detect sensor (330) to identify an input material received fromthe input device (200) and transmit the appropriate signal to thecontrol device (800). Two load cells (340) weigh the input material, andthe metal detect sensor (330) checks whether the input material ismetal. After data are recorded by the metal detect sensor and load cells(330, 340), the data are transmitted to the control device (800)

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asexemplary shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the material identification device(300) comprises of a front side plate (311), a back side plate (312) anda pair of downward sloping stands (320) to make sure that the inputmaterials contact the back side plate (312), thereby ensuring that themetal detect sensor (330), which is attached to the back side plate(312), can check whether the input material is metal. The pair ofdownward sloping stands (320) open or close by rotating between thefront side plate (311) and the back side plate (312). Preferably, twoload cells (340) are installed on the bottom of the downward slopestands (320) to measure the weight of the input material on the stands(320) and transmit the measurement to the control device (800). Inaccordance with an aspect of the claimed invention, the materialidentification device (300) utilizes the metal detect sensor (330) andtwo load cells (340) to identify the input material.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, the collection part (700) includes threecollection bins (710, 720, 730), each of which collects one of thefollowing: aluminum cans, PET bottle (polyethylene terephthalate) andother materials. In accordance with an aspect of the claimed invention,any input material is adequately processed (except for other materials)to deposit as much as possible in the collection bins (710, 720, 730).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asexemplary shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the selective collecting system (1000)comprises a forced transport part (350) to ensure that input materialsreach the metal detect sensor (330) laid on their sides horizontally.Due to the limited size of the input slot (210), an input material isexpected to be usually inserted horizontally and therefore, transportedsideways. However, because that might not always be the case, a guidingrail (355) is provided to ensure that an input material is transportedlaid on its side horizontally. The forced transport part (350) isinstalled between the input device (200) and the material identificationdevice (300). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimedinvention, the forced transport part (350) comprises a driving pulley(351) and a driven pulley (352) installed between the input device (200)and the material identification device (300), a conveyor belt (353)connected to the driving pulley (351) and the driven pulley (352) and aforced transport part side servomotor (354) providing power to thedriving pulley (351).

The sorting guide device (400) guides the dropped material identifiedinput materials from the material identification device (300) into ashredding side channel (401), a compressing side channel (402), or adropping side channel (403). In accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the claimed invention, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 11, and 14-16, thesorting guide device (400) is installed below the materialidentification device (300) to form the shredding side channel (401),the compressing side channel (402) and the dropped side channel (403).Specifically, the shredding side channel (401) comprises a shreddingside diaphragm (410) and a shredding side entrance (411). Likewise, thecompressing side channel (402) comprises a compressing side diaphragm(420) and a compressing side entrance (421). The highlighted portions ofthe shredding side diaphragm (410) and the compressing side diaphragm(420) in FIG. 7 are attached to the front side panel (101) and the backside panel (102).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asexemplary shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 11, the sorting guide device (400)further comprises a shredding side sorting space (430), which isinstalled next to the shredding side diaphragm (410), and a compressingside sorting space (440), which is installed next to the compressingside diaphragm (420). The shredding side sorting space (430) has ashredding side sorting shaft (431) running through the front and backside panels (101, 102). A shredding side servomotor (432) provides powerto the shredding side sorting shaft (431) and is installed on the frontside panel (101).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asshown in FIG. 11, the shredding side servomotor (432) powers therotation of the shredding side sorting shaft (431), which in turn opensor closes a shredding side shutter (433) that is inserted into theshredding side sorting shaft (431). To prevent the shredding sideshutter (433) from rotating excessively and possibly damaging otherparts and devices of the selective collecting system (1000), theshredding side CAM slot (434) restricts excessive rotation of theshredding side shutter (433) by limiting the movement of a shreddingside power transfer link (436).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, oneend of the shredding side power transfer link (436) moves up along thestraight, upper portion of the shredding side CAM slot (434) to open theshredding side shutter (433). To prevent excessive rotation when closingthe shredding side shutter (433), the end of the shredding side powertransfer link (436) moves down along the straight, upper portion of theshredding side CAM slot (434) into one of two lower branches of theshredding side CAM slot (434).

As exemplary shown in FIG. 15, when the material identification device(300) sends a signal to the control device (800) that the input materialis to be shredded, the control device (800) commands the shredding sideservomotor (432) to rotate counterclockwise (from the front) to open theshredding side shutter (433). If the compressing side shutter (443) isopen, the control device (800) instructs a compressing side servomotor(442) to rotate counterclockwise to close the compressing side shutter(443) to ensure that the input material does not go into the compressingside channel (402). Once open, the shredding side shutter (433) receivesthe input material dropped from the material identification device(300), and routes it to the shredding device (500) located in theshredding side channel (401). After the input material is transported tothe shredding device (500), the shredding side servomotor (432) rotatesclockwise and closes the shredding side shutter (433).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecompressing side sorting space (440) has a compressing side sortingshaft (441) running through the front and back side panels (101, 102).The compressing side servomotor (442) provides power to the compressingside sorting shaft (441) and is installed on the front side panel (101).As with the shredding side sorting space (430), the compressing sideshutter (443) is inserted into the compressing side sorting shaft (441).It is appreciated that the entire mechanism of the compressing side issame as that of the shredding side except that it works in the reversedirection.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asshown in FIG. 11, the compressing side servomotor (442) powers theoperation of closing or opening the compressing side sorting space(440). To prevent the compressing side shutter (443) from rotatingexcessively and possibly damaging other parts and devices of theselective collection system (1000), the compressing side CAM slot (444)restricts the movement of the compressing side shutter (443) by limitingthe movement of a compressing side power transfer link (446)

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, oneend of the compressing side power transfer link (446) moves up along thestraight, upper portion of the compressing side CAM slot (444) to openthe compressing side shutter (443). To prevent excessive rotation whenclosing the compressing side shutter (443), the end of the compressingside power transfer link (446) moves down along the straight, upperportion of the compressing side CAM slot (444) into one of two lowerbranches of the compressing side CAM slot (444).

As exemplary shown in FIG. 16, when the material identification device(300) sends a signal to the control device (800) that the input materialis to be compressed, the control device (800) instructs the compressingside servomotor (442) rotates clockwise (from the front) to open thecompressing side shutter (443). If the compressing side shutter (444) isopen, the compressing side servomotor (442) rotates clockwise to closethe compressing side shutter (444) to ensure that the input materialdoes not go into the shredding side channel (401). Once open, thecompressing side shutter (443) receives the input material dropped fromthe material identification device (300), and routes it to thecompressing device (600) located in the compressing side channel (402).After the input material is transported to the compressing device (600),the compressing side servomotor (442) rotates counterclockwise andcloses the compressing side shutter (443).

As exemplary shown in FIG. 14, when the material identification device(300) signals to the control device (800) that the input material isneither to be shredded nor compressed, the drop shutters (433, 443)remain closed or close if the drop shutters (433, 443) were open. Thesorting guide device (400) routes the input material directly to theother materials collection bin (730).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device (800) can comprise a process or, a processor basedcomputer, a computer system and the like, and will not be discussedherein because such device and system is well known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. The control device (800) has a data storage unit) suchas memory, hard disk, database, and the like, which will not bediscussed for the same reason. The control device (800) can communicatewith a network server or central computer through a communicationsnetwork. The control device (800) categorizes the input materials intoplastics (e.g., PET bottles), metal cans (e.g., aluminum cans and steelcans), glass bottles and debris based on the signals received from thematerial identification device (300). The control device (800) controlsthe sorting guide device (400) to transport the categorized inputmaterial to the shredding device (500), the compressing device (600), orthe other materials collection bin (730). Shredded materials from theshredding device (500) are ultimately routed to a PET collection bin(710), and compressed materials from the compressing device (600) androuted to an aluminum can collection bin (720).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thedata storage unit (810) holds the necessary data for identifying inputmaterials. For example, the standard weight ranges of general inputmaterials are: 18 to 45 g for PET bottles, 10 to 20 g for aluminum cans,20 g or greater for steel cans and 45 g or greater for glass bottles.The stored data can be reset or adjusted to accommodate for anydisparities in size and weight. Once an input material is transportedinto the material identification device (300), the input material makescontact with the metal detect sensor (330) as exemplary shown in FIG. 6,which is part of the material identification device (300). The metaldetect sensor (330) determines whether the input material is a metal andtransmits the appropriate signal to the control device (800), whichrecognizes the signal and stores the received in the data storage unit(810). If the input material is recognized to be a metal, the controldevice (800) determines whether the metal is aluminum or steel bycomparing the weight datum transmitted directly from two load cells(340), which are installed at the bottom of the material identificationdevice (300), with the data stored in the data storage unit (810). Ifthe input material is determined to be an aluminum can, then the controldevice (800) commands the sorting guide device (400) to send the inputmaterial to the compressing device (600). In accordance with anembodiment of the claimed exemplary invention, as exemplary shown inFIG. 16, the control device (800) opens the downward sloping stands(320) of the material identification device (300), thereby dropping thealuminum can into the compressing side sorting space (440) through thecompressing side entrance (421). Then the aluminum can is compressed bythe compressing device (600) and deposited to the aluminum cancollection bin (720). Of course, the control device (800) closes theshredding side shutter (433), if open, prior to dropping the inputmaterial from the material identification device (300).

Conversely, if the metal input material is determined to be a steel can,then the control device (800) closes or keeps closed both the shreddingside shutter (433) and the compressing side shutter (443). As exemplaryshown in FIG. 14, the control device (800) commands the downward slopingstands (320) of the material identification device (300) to open,thereby dropping the steel can into the other materials collection bin(730). To properly separate the processed input materials, three binsare placed within the interior of the claimed selective collectionsystem (1000): the PET bottle collection bin (710), aluminum cancollection bin (720) and the other materials collection bin (730), whichis used to collect less popular input materials, such as glass bottlesand steel cans, as well as foreign objects, such as rocks, papers andthe like.

If the metal detect sensor (330) recognizes an input material as anon-metal, it sends a signal to the control device (800) so that theinput material is categorized as a non-metal. Then, two load cells (340)and the control panel (800) interact in a manner analogous to theprocess aforementioned, that is, the control device (800) determineswhether the non-metal input material is a PET bottle or another materialfrom the weight datum received from two load cells (340). If thenon-metal input material is determined to be a PET, the control device(800) opens the shredding side shutter (433) and closes or keeps closedthe compressing side shutter. As exemplary shown in FIG. 15, the controldevice (800) controls the downward sloping stands (320) of the materialidentification device (300) to open, thereby dropping a PET bottle intothe shredding side sorting space (430) through the shredding sideentrance (411). Then the PET bottle is shredded by the shredding device(500) and deposited into the PET bottle collection bin (710).

If the non-metal input material is determined to be a glass bottle, thecontrol device (800) sends an appropriate signal so that the downwardsloping stands (320) open and the glass bottle is deposited into theother materials collection bin (730).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asexemplary shown in FIGS. 7, and 14-16, the collection part (700)comprises of three collection bins (710, 720, 730) and the collectionbin drawer (740), which holds each bin. The bins are categorized, asaforementioned, into the PET bottle collection bin (710), aluminum cancollection bin (720) and the other materials collection bin (730). ThePET bottle collection bin (710) is positioned below the shredding device(500), the aluminum can collection bin (720) below the compressingdevice (600) and the other materials collection bin (730) below thesorting guide device (400) and between shredding side and compressingside diaphragms (410, 420). In accordance with an aspect of the claimedinvention, as exemplary shown in FIG. 8, the bin collection drawer (740)can be slid in and out of the housing part (100) to allow thecontainment or the removal of the three collection bins (710, 720, 730).

As exemplary shown in FIG. 15, the shredding device (500) is located inthe shredding side channel (401) to shred PET bottle materials droppedfrom the sorting guide device (400) through the shredding side entrance(411). As noted herein, the conventional press-separate storage systemlacks a mechanism that would force a PET bottle to be forced into itsshredding device; thus, it was not rare for shredding to take aninordinate amount of time or even fail. In accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the claimed invention, the shredding device (500) of theselective collection system (1000) comprises a shredding device forcedentry part (510) to force a PET bottle into the shredding device (500)to reduce the shredding time of PET bottles and to ensure successfulshredding. The shredding device forced entry part (510), which islocated at the upper section of the shredding device (500), holds thePET bottle while the blades of the shredding device (500) shred the PET;this process is exemplary illustrated in FIG. 15. The shredded PETbottle is then deposited into the PET bottle collection bin (710).

In accordance with an embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown inFIGS. 7, 8, 14, 15, and 16, the shredding device forced entry part (510)comprises of a forced entry shaft (511) and forced entry wings (512)that are inserted into the forced entry shaft (511). The shreddingdevice forced entry part (510) is powered by a shredding device powermotor (520), which also powers the shredding device (500). The forcedentry wings (512) forcibly push the input material into the shreddingdevice (500).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, asshown in FIGS. 12-14 and 16, the compressing device (600) comprises of afront press plate (610) with a guide hole (611), a back press plate(620) and a top down plate (630) with a compressed can output space(631) at its lower part. The back press plate (620) is attached to theback side panel (102). The lower part of the top down plate (630) isfixed between the front press plate (610) and the back press plate(620). A compressed can output shutter (680) opens to let out acompressed aluminum can through the compressed can output space (631) onthe top down plate (630) and closes or stays closed before an aluminumcan is compressed. The shutter (680) is inserted into a shaft, which isrotated by a servomotor attached to the top down plate (630). Theshutter (680) opens or closes as the servomotor rotates the shaft. Analuminum can is compressed by the middle press plate (640), which ispushed or pulled by a press shaft (650) moving in and out of a guidehole (611). A compressing device power motor (660) powers thecompressing device (600) through a press shaft (650) and a rotary device(670). One end of the press shaft (650) is linked with a hinge to themiddle press plate (640). The other end of the press shaft (650) islinked with a hinge to one end of a rotary device (670). The other endof the rotary device (670) is connected to a gear coupling (661).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device (800) controls the overall operation of the selectivecollection system (1000) and comprises a processor (820), a display(900) to display advertisements, a communications port (830) and thestorage device (810). The display is mounted on an external surface ofthe housing part (100). The control device (800) can alternatively (orin addition to displaying the advertisement) display announcements ormessages on the display (900). The display (900) can be any standarddisplay available in any size, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), aplasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display. The size of thedisplay (900) would be limited by the availability of space on theexternal surface of the housing part (100).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device (800) can display the advertisements stored on thestorage device (810), received from an external device through thecommunications port (840), or received from an external source by acommunications device (830) of the control device (800) over thecommunications network. The communications port (840) can be an USBport. The external device can be one of the following: a CD, a DVD, aflash memory, a portable storage device, a laptop, a personal computer,a personal digital assistant, or a smart phone. The communicationsnetwork can be one of the following: a telecommunications network, awireless network, a virtual private network, a Wide Area Network (WAN),an Internet, or a Wi-Fi network, Intranet.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, thecontrol device (800) generates a message on the display (900) comprisingat least one of the following: a total number input materials received,a total number of PET received, a total number of aluminum cansreceived, and amount of credit based on the total number of inputmaterials received from an user.

Although the explanation above on the appropriate use of this inventionis detailed, the range of rights on the invention is not limited onthis. The various modifications and improved form based on the basicconcept of this invention is also included in the range of rights on theinvention.

1. A selective collection system for recyclable containers, comprising:a housing part to house internal components of the selective collectionsystem; a control device to control overall operation of the selectivecollection system and comprises a processor, a display to displayadvertisements, a communications port and a storage device; an inputdevice installed on the front of the housing part to receive an inputmaterial; a material identification device to identify an input materialand to transmit a corresponding material identification signal to thecontrol device, which identifies the input material based on thematerial identification signal; and a sorting guide device to route theinput material received from the material identification device based onidentification of the input material by the control device to one of thefollowing devices: a shredding device to shred the input materialdropped from the sorting guide device and identified as a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) bottle by the control device; a compressing deviceto compress the input material dropped from the sorting guide device andidentified as an aluminum can by the control device; and a collectionpart comprising three collection bins into which shredded, compressed,or unprocessed input materials are deposited, respectively, the inputmaterial identified as being neither a PET bottle nor an aluminum can bythe control device is dropped from the sorting guide device without anyprocessing into a collection bin storing the unprocessed input material.2. The selective collection system of claim 1, wherein the input devicecomprises: an input slot, an opening on the upper portion of the housingpart, into which the input material is inserted; a sliding door to openand close the input slot; an upper swivel; a supporting shaft attachedto and rotating about the upper swivel; a secondary shaft with a firstend fixed onto the supporting shaft and a second end attached to thesliding door; a lower swivel; a primary shaft with a first end linked tothe second end of the secondary shaft attached to the sliding door and asecond end attached to the lower swivel, the primary shaft rotatingabout the lower swivel; an input servomotor to power rotation of theprimary shaft; and an input detect sensor, installed inside the inputslot and on the exterior of the housing part, to transmit a signal tothe control device upon detection of an input material, therebyprompting the control device to open the sliding door.
 3. The selectivecollection system of claim 1, wherein the material identification devicecomprises: a front side plate; a back side plate; a pair of downwardsloping stands inserted into two shafts that rotate between the frontside and back side plates to open the pair of downward sloping standsafter the material identification device identifies the input materialand transmits the corresponding material identification signal to thecontrol device, and to close the pair of downward sloping stands whenthe material identification device is identifying the input material; ametal detect sensor to sense the input material on the pair of downwardsloping stands and transmits a metal detect signal to the controldevice; two load cells, installed below the pair of downward slopingstands, to weigh the input material on the pair of downward slopingstands and to transmit the weight datum to the control device; and aforced transport part to forcibly position horizontally the inputmaterial received from the input device and to transport the forciblyhorizontally positioned input material to the metal detect sensor; andwherein the forced transport part comprises: a driving pulley, a drivenpulley, a conveyor belt that connects the driving pulley to the drivenpulley, and a forced transport servomotor to provide power to thedriving pulley; and wherein the control device determines whether theinput material on the pair of downward sloping stands is a metal basedon the metal detect signal.
 4. The selective collection system of claim1, wherein the sorting guide device is installed below the materialidentification device to sort the input material and comprises: ashredding side diaphragm to enclose the shredding device; a shreddingside entrance to provide the input material identified as the PET bottlea passage to the shredding device; a shredding side shutter to open andclose the shredding side entrance; a shredding side sorting shaft intowhich the shredding side shutter is inserted; a shredding sideservomotor to power opening and closing of the shredding side shutter; ashredding side power transfer link connected to the shredding sideservomotor and the shredding side sorting shaft, the shredding sideservomotor is operable to rotate the shredding side sorting shaft viathe shredding side power transfer link; a shredding side CAM to limitmovement of the shredding side shutter; a compressing side diaphragm toenclose the compressing device; a compressing side entrance to providethe input material identified as the aluminum can a passage to thecompressing device; a compressing side shutter to open and close thecompressing side entrance; a compressing side sorting shaft into whichthe compressing side shutter is inserted; a compressing side servomotorto power opening and closing of the compressing side shutter; acompressing side power transfer link connected to the compressing sideservomotor and the compressing side sorting shaft, the compressing sideservomotor is operable to rotate the compressing side sorting shaft viathe compressing side power transfer link; and a compressing side CAM tolimit movement of the compressing side shutter.
 5. The selectivecollection system of claim 1, wherein the collection part comprises: aPET bottle collection bin to collect shredded PET bottles from theshredding device; an aluminum can collection bin to collect compressedaluminum cans from the compressing device; an other materials collectionbin to collect other materials dropped through a dropping side channelof the sorting guide device; and a collection bin drawer to place thethree collection bins.
 6. The selective collection system of claim 1,wherein the shredding device comprises: a shredding device forced entrypart to forcefully insert the PET bottle into the shredding device; anda shredding device power motor to provide power to the shredding deviceto perform a shredding process; and wherein the shredding device forcedentry part comprises: forced entry wings to insert the PET bottle intorotating blades of the shredding device, and a forced entry shaft intowhich the forced entry wings are inserted.
 7. The selective collectionsystem of claim 1, wherein the compressing device comprises: a frontpress plate with a guide hole; a back press plate; a top down plate witha lower portion fixed into the front and back press plates; a middlepress plate, installed between the front and back press plates, tocompress the aluminum can; a press shaft moving in and out of the guidehole of the front press plate, and having one of its ends linked with ahinge to the middle press plate to push the middle press plate; acompressing device power motor to provide power to the compressingdevice to perform a compressing process; a rotary device with one endlinked with a hinge to the press shaft and another end linked to thecompressing device power motor through a gear coupling; a compressed canoutput space at the lower portion of the top down plate through which acompressed aluminum can is released; and a compressed can output shutterto open and close the compressed can output space.
 8. The selectivecollection system of claim 1, wherein the display is mounted on anexternal surface of the housing part.
 9. The selective collection systemof claim 1, wherein the control device is operable to display theadvertisements stored on the storage device, received from an externaldevice through the communications port, or received from an externalsource by a communications device of the control device over thecommunications network.
 10. The selective collection system of claim 9,wherein the communications port is an USB port; and wherein the externaldevice is one of the following: a CD, a DVD, a flash memory, a portablestorage device, a laptop, a personal computer, a personal digitalassistant, or a smart phone.
 11. The selective collection system ofclaim 9, wherein the communications network is one of the following: atelecommunications network, a wireless network, a virtual privatenetwork, a Wide Area Network (WAN), an Internet, or a Wi-Fi network,Intranet.
 12. The selective collection system of claim 1, wherein thecontrol device controls the display to display announcements ormessages.
 13. The selective collection system of claim 1, wherein thematerial identification device identifies the input material as one ofthe following: PET, aluminum can, and other; and wherein the controldevice generates a message on the display comprising at least one of thefollowing: a total number input materials received, a total number ofPET received, a total number of aluminum cans received, and amount ofcredit based on the total number of input materials received from anuser.
 14. A selective collection system for recyclable containers,comprising: a housing part to house internal components of the selectivecollection system; a control device to control overall operation of theselective collection system and comprises a processor, a display mountedon external surface of the housing part to display announcements ormessages, a communications port and a storage device; an input deviceinstalled on the front of the housing part to receive an input material;a material identification device to identify an input material and totransmit a corresponding material identification signal to the controldevice, which identifies the input material based on the materialidentification signal; and a sorting guide device to route the inputmaterial received from the material identification device based onidentification of the input material by the control device to one of thefollowing devices: a shredding device to shred the input materialdropped from the sorting guide device and identified as a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) bottle by the control device; a compressing deviceto compress the input material dropped from the sorting guide device andidentified as an aluminum can by the control device; and a collectionpart comprising three collection bins into which shredded, compressed,or unprocessed input materials are deposited, respectively, the inputmaterial identified as being neither a PET bottle nor an aluminum can bythe control device is dropped from the sorting guide device without anyprocessing into a collection bin storing the unprocessed input material.15. The selective collection system of claim 13, wherein the controldevice is operable to display advertisements stored on the storagedevice, received from an external device through the communicationsport, or received from an external source by a communications device ofthe control device over the communications network.
 16. The selectivecollection system of claim 15, wherein the communications port is an USBport; and wherein the external device is one of the following: a CD, aDVD, a flash memory, a portable storage device, a laptop, a personalcomputer, a personal digital assistant, or a smart phone.
 17. Theselective collection system of claim 15, wherein the communicationsnetwork is one of the following: a telecommunications network, awireless network, a virtual private network, a Wide Area Network (WAN),an Internet, or a Wi-Fi network, Intranet.
 18. The selective collectionsystem of claim 17, wherein the material identification deviceidentifies the input material as one of the following: PET, aluminumcan, and other; and wherein the control device generates a message onthe display comprising at least one of the following: a total numberinput materials received, a total number of PET received, a total numberof aluminum cans received, and amount of credit based on the totalnumber of input materials received from an user.